BC-IL--Illinois News Coverage Advisory 8:30 am, IL

December 6, 2018

Here’s a look at how AP’s general news coverage is shaping up today in Illinois. Questions about coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to the AP-Chicago bureau at 312-781-0500 or chifax@ap.org. Tom Davies is on the desk, followed by Herbert McCann.

A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop, or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Advisories and digests will keep you up to date. All times are Central.

UPCOMING TODAY:

SCHOOL BUS CRASH-ILLINOIS

DOWNS, Ill. _ A semitrailer heading the wrong way on an interstate collided head-on with a school bus carrying members of an Illinois high school girls’ basketball team, killing the truck driver and an adult on the bus, authorities said Thursday. Illinois State Police said eight girls on the bus were injured in the head-on crash Wednesday night on Interstate 74 near Downs, a village in central Illinois about 115 miles southwest of Chicago. Police said the bus driver and a coach also were injured. The girls’ team was returning from a game at Champaign Central. SENT: 300 words. Will be updated. AP Photos pursuing. With AP Video.

SEARS-TAKEOVER BID

Eddie Lampert and his ESL Holdings hedge fund are offering to buy the rest of Sears for up to $4.6 billion in cash and stock. The Sears chairman and ESL own just under half of the Hoffman Estates, Illinois, company, according to FactSet. Sears filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October, weighed down by years of declining sales and massive debt. ESL Holdings said in a regulatory filing Thursday that its nonbinding offer for roughly 500 remaining Sears stores will keep about 50,000 employees working. SENT: 100 words, photo. Will be updated.

CHICAGO POLICE-LAQUAN MCDONALD

CHICAGO _ The defense begins presenting witnesses Thursday in the trial for three Chicago police officers accused of participating in a cover-up surrounding the fatal police shooting of black teenager Laquan McDonald. The bench trial is for a case that puts the department on trial just weeks after a jury convicted a white officer of second-degree murder and aggravated battery in McDonald’s 2014 death. UPCOMING: Coverage on merits. Trial scheduled to resume at 11:30 a.m. CT

WALGREENS-HOME DELIVERIES

Walgreens is joining drugstore competitor CVS Health in expanding home deliveries for prescriptions nationwide, as stores continue adjusting to a retail world made more customer-friendly by online competition. Deerfield, Illinois-based Walgreens said Thursday it will partner with FedEx to deliver prescriptions as soon as the next day for a $4.99 fee, and it also is providing same-day deliveries in several cities. SENT: 130 words. Will be updated.

IN BRIEF:

_ METAL DETECTORS-U OF I: University of Illinois officials are considering installing walk-through metal detectors at the State Farm Center. If installed, the metal detectors would be permanent and used for all athletic events as well as concerts and shows.

LAS VEGAS _ The struggling Chicago Blackhawks visit the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night following Wednesday’s 4-2 loss to Anaheim. The Blackhawks, who have dropped five straight and seven of eight, are 3-9-2 under coach Jeremy Colliton since he replaced Joel Quenneville on Nov. 6. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game time 9 p.m. CT.

FBN--RAMS-BEARS PREVIEW

LAKE FOREST, Ill. _ With a second straight division title in hand, Jared Goff and the Los Angeles Rams would love to grab a few more prizes. Another big one is there for the taking. The NFC West champion Rams look to clinch a first-round playoff bye when they visit the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears on Sunday in a primetime matchup between teams following similar paths. By Andrew Seligman. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos. Moving in advance for weekend use.

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